Demon Slayer
(Kimetsu no Yaiba) Story and Plot
In Japan, there is an ancient legend that speaks of demonic creatures that attack people at night, devouring them.
Koyoharu Gotoge's work, Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer), which began publication in 2016, uses this legend as a source of inspiration and presents a supernatural world set in the 20th century, during the Taisho era (the period in which the emperor of the same name reigned).
The story takes us to a dark Japan, dominated by the fear of being devoured by these demons. In response, various heroes rise up to fight against them and defeat them, trying to restore hope to humanity.
(Image of the Kamado Brother and Sister Precious G.e.m Figure)
The plot follows Tanjiro Kamado, who becomes a demon slayer after his family's massacre at the hands of these creatures. His sister, Nezuko, is the only survivor, but she was injured and contaminated with demon blood, which threatens to completely transform her into one of them.
Tanjiro then joins an organization of demon slayers that operates outside the norms and protection of the government. With this purpose, he begins his training to avenge his family and seek a cure for Nezuko, whom he wishes to protect above all else.
From there, an adventure full of action and dangers begins, accompanied by a large cast of diverse and unique characters, each with their own story, depth, and characteristics that have captivated fans around the world.
About Slayers and Demons
In this world, both slayers and demons possess emblematic weapons, which has led to numerous replicas and a wide variety of products related to both them and the characters.
The slayers' weapons are specially designed to destroy demons and feature unique characteristics that adapt to each wielder. These Nichirin swords acquire a distinctive color when wielded by their owner, and this color reflects the wielder's technique, personality, and character. For example, the protagonist's sword is black, an extremely rare case among slayers.
(Image of Funko Pop, Tanjiro vs Rui)
Both groups have elites formed by the most powerful and meritorious individuals:
- The 9 Pillars (Hashira): They are the strongest demon slayers, dedicated to protecting humanity. This group, led by Kagaya Ubuyashiki, requires its members to have defeated at least 50 demons or one of the members of the 12 Demon Moons. As a curiosity, Tanjiro's master, Urokodaki, was one of these Pillars.
- The 12 Demon Moons (12 Kizuki): They are demons who serve under Muzan Kibutsuji and bear a distinctive mark on one of their eyes. This group is divided into Lower Moons, which groups the six weakest, and Upper Moons, which includes the six most powerful.
The demons of Kimetsu no Yaiba
The legend of the "night demons" may evoke the well-known vampires, and it may not be a coincidence that there are several similarities between these creatures and the demons presented to us by Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Their Origin
Except for Muzan, who was born as a result of a medicine created from the Blue Spider Lily, most demons are humans who have been transformed by being contaminated with the blood of other powerful demons. This process, although effective in some cases, is not always successful, as not all humans manage to survive the transformation.
Characteristics and Weaknesses
Humans converted into demons lose all their memories as such, being dominated by a primitive instinct that drives them to feed on human flesh and blood. This conversion grants them supernatural abilities and a longevity close to immortality.
Despite maintaining a human appearance, they often have pale skin and feline eyes, accompanied by distinctive features such as horns or pointed ears.
As they consume humans, their power and intellect increase, making them more cunning and dangerous. Many of them manage to hide among humans, using their appearance to go unnoticed and avoid being hunted.
Although they are extremely strong, demons have specific weaknesses that they share, these being: Sunlight, which can be fatal to them; the scent of wisteria flowers, and Nichirin weapons: The slayers' swords, forged specifically to eliminate them.
Finally, demons are linked to the progenitor Muzan Kibutsuji, who has the ability to read their thoughts, see through their eyes, locate them, and, if he deems it necessary, eliminate them remotely. However, this connection can be broken if a demon possesses a will strong enough to resist his control.
At least to most fans of vampire stories, many of these characteristics of the demons of Kimetsu no Yaiba will sound familiar, right? Even so, this in no way affects the depth of the plot or the complexity with which this fascinating world has been built. Rather, these similarities add an interesting touch in the way they are presented, which, together with their originality, have managed to captivate fans around the world.
